I'm beginning to believe that most economic and spiritual turmoil commonly boils down to the big question: "What am I owned by?" Meaning, what am I willing to part with in order to have security and peace of mind? And what am I willing to put myself at risk for?
Ownership is really a process of control. I control what I do and own or I am controlled by the things I commit and submit to in my life. When we make a purchase, or commit our time to something, we invest another piece of our limited life resources to that item or idea. Sometimes those great ideas can turn into committal nightmares like the car that begins to rob us of our resources as its luster and mechanicals dim 43 months into a 60 month financial commitment. All the sudden the roles are reversed and we find ourselves and our resources owned, controlled, and at risk.
I'm not suggesting that ownership and commitment is bad. But I have become acutely aware of what I am willing to allow into my heart and home. Lately I've begun the process of becoming more a minimalist. I'm divesting myself of the things I own, the things I "want" rather than "need". With fewer things vying for my attention I can travel lighter, faster, and farther. I can be less distracted and more focused on what matters most: Life here for Life later.
I think if we evaluated our choices as "puppies", as objects that we would have to care for, clean up after, share our food, finances, and beds with, that we would all have fewer "dogs" to walk in our lives.
At times we risk stepping into the shadows when we begin to justify our "wants" as "needs". We become willing to sacrifice security for our desires. And we commit the resources of our time, money, hearts, and minds to ideals that in the end leave us with the puzzling question: "Was it worth it?"
And a ruler asked him, "Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?" When Jesus heard this, he said to him, "One thing you still lack. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me." But when he heard these things, he became very sad, for he was extremely rich. ~ Luke 18:18, 22,23.
Was he in Control or Controlled? Owned or Owner? Ruler or Ruled?
Was he really Rich?
I'll have a follow up post in a few days called "Nickels & Dimes" detailing in photos my own personal divestiture of, and battle over, "stuff".
